Today's News

I am not a tea drinker. I love coffee, the stronger the better. If I am seen drinking tea, it is directly related to my state of health.

Only illness will drive me to sipping a beverage I consider only one step removed from hot water. For me, hospitality is a shared cup of coffee, perhaps enhanced by a cookie or slice of cake. But, even alone, the “java” suffices.

An Ash man has confessed to the June 30 shooting death of a Columbus County man in Little River, S.C.

Thomas Edward Shipplett, 57, of 2046 Ash Little River Road, is charged with murder and is in the J. Reuben Long Detention Center in Conway, S.C. As of Monday, bond for Shipplett had not yet been set, said Sgt. Robert Kegler of the Horry County, S.C., Police Department.

The victim was identified as Dale McDuffie Hammond, 56, of Cerro Gordo.

Saturday, July 4, will be celebrated with a parade beginning at 11 a.m. The route will travel down Moore and Howe streets. Food and concessions will be served along Howe Street from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. The evening and Fourth of July celebration will conclude with fireworks at the waterfront at 9 p.m.

Those of us who grew up watching singers, dancers and comedians who gave their all to entertain us on stage, television and in movies tend to complain about the lack of bona fide stars in today’s culture.

Most of us, even though we all have a guilty pleasure or two, complain about the unfortunate rise of “reality” show celebrities who don’t seem to have much talent other than fighting with one another. It’s like watching high school with 25-year-olds or 40-year-olds, depending on which channel you prefer.

The candidate-filing period for the 2009 municipal elections begins Monday.

Filing for the Nov. 3, 2009, municipal election opens at 8:30 a.m. Monday, July 6, and runs until noon Friday, July 17, at the Brunswick County Board of Elections in Bolivia. The 2009 elections are for municipalities, sanitary districts and Dosher Memorial Hospital trustees.

SOUTHPORT—A new international terminal proposed for 600 acres near Southport and Boiling Spring Lakes could potentially pollute the Cape Fear River with petrochemicals, construction waste material, cleaning compounds, stormwater runoff and invasive species, environmental experts told citizens gathered at the Southport Community Building last week.

In addition, dredging a deepwater channel between the ocean and the Cape Fear River could destroy nursery areas for a number of marine animals.

Summertime in southeastern North Carolina is a time for beach trips, popping the top on a cool one and shuffling your feet to some cool tunes from the likes of the Tams, the Drifters or one of my favorite one-hit-wonders—Cannonball.